Fire-controlling apparatus



Oct. 20, 1925 1558,047

G. I. R cKwooo FIRE CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 24, 1920 J722/672 tar" w i I SQ @Wim. J/ VF Patented Oct. 20, 1925.

UNITED STATES GEORGE I. ROCKWOOD, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

FIRE-CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

Application filed August 24, 1920.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Gnouor. 1. Roouwoon, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVorcester, in the county of lVorcest-er and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Fire-Controlling Apparatus, of which the following is a. specification.

This invention relates to a fire controlling apparatus particularly designed for use where inflammable liquid fuel is employed. One important use of the apparatus is in connection with automobile-s using gasoline for fuel. Many such machines are destroyed by tires caused by leakage and ignition of the; gasoline under the engine hood, the fire spreading quickly to the gasoline supply tank.

It is the object of my invention to control such fires by two simultaneous operations, first, by shutting off the fuel supply, and second, by extinguishing the fire by suitable chemical or other means.

In the preferred form of my invention. the operation of the apparatus is determined by heat-controlled means, so that an unusual rise in temperature will bring the apparatus into operation. A single heat controlled unit may be conveniently employed which, when released, allows the fuel control mechanism and the fire extinguishing mechanism to become simultaneously operative.

Important features of my invention relate to improved details of construction in the fuel shut-off and extinguisher opening devices, and also to the provision of means for producing a more even spread of the extinguishing fluid.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more par ticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of my invention is shown in the drawings which is a sectional elevation of my improved mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown a fuel control device having a casing 10 to which is connected a fuel supply pipe 11 and a feed pipe 12. An opening 13 is formed in a cross partition of the casing 10, which opening constitutes a seat for a valve 14, the stem of which has a lower bearing in a plug 15 screwed into the lower end of the casing 10. The upper end of the valve stem is preferably enlarged to form a head 16 which engages a cap 17, supported by the casing 10 and closing an opening 18 therein. A

Serial No. 405,619.

spring 19 mounted on the "tIlVG stem yieldingly forces the va ve towards closed position.

I find it desirable to provide grooves or cut away portions on the sides of the valve stem and also of the head 16 so as to reduce the surface in contact with the hearings in which these parts are movable.

An extinguisher 20 may be connected by a pipe 21 to a chamber 22 formed in a frame 23 which constitutes an upward extension of the casing 10. An outlet 24: of the chamber 22 is normally closed by a plate 25 seated against the outlet and having a sectional upturned edge 26. The portion of the edge or flange 26 adjacent the frame 23 may be made in one piece, upturned at a greater angle, as indicated in the drawing, so that the extinguishing fluid will be more largely ejected from the opposite side.

A. stud or rod 27 extends downward from the plate through a bearing 28 projecting from. the frame 23. A nut 29 on the Stud 27 limits downward movement of the stud and plate, such movement being due .to the pressure in the tank 20, and also to a coil spring 30 mounted in the chamber 22 and pressing downward upon the plate 25. The stud 27 is also preferably grooved at the sides to reduce the effect of friction and corrosion.

A retaining and releasing device is interposed between the lower end of the stud 27 and the top of the cap 17. The device shown in the drawing is of the well-known figure 4 type, comprising a cross-bar 31, a post or support 32, and a trigger 33, the latter being formed in two parts secured together by solder, which melt-s at a desired temperature and thus releases the mechanism.

Having described the construction of my improved mechanism, the operation and advantages thereof will be apparent. The device is preferably mounted under the engine hood or adjacent the mechanism to be protected, and is released if the temperature rises above the melting point of the solder in the trigger 33. The valve 14: is then forced upward by its spring 19 to close the opening 13 and shut off the pipe 11 connected with the supply tank. At the same time the plate 25 is forced downward against the projection 28, in which position it acts to spread the extinguishing fluid from the tank 20 in the desired direction. The coil spring 30 not only assists in unseating the plate 25 but also has an important action in theeven spread of the extinguishing fluid. The spring is supported only at its extreme ends so that it may vibrate in the o ening 24:, thus breaking up the current of uid and producing a more even action of the plate 25. By simultaneously shutting off the fuel supply and applying the extinguishing fluid prompt control of a fire is assured.

Having thus described my invention it will be evident that changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the claims, and I do not wish to be otherwise limited to the details herein disclosed but what I claim is l. A fire control apparatus, having, in combination, a device controlling the supply of liquid fuel to an internal combustion engine, a device controlling the delivery of a fire extinguishing compound to the atmosphere, and a single heat controlled unit effective to positively lock and hold both of said devices in normal position at normal temperature.

2. A fire control apparatus comprising a fuel valve controlling the supply of liquid fuel to an internal combustion engine, an extinguisher valve controlling the delivery of a fire extinguishing compound to the atmosphere, and heat controlled means effective to positively lock and hold said first valve open and said second valve closed until exposed to an abnormally high temperature.

3. A fire control apparatus comprising fuel shut-oft and extinguisher-control devices, movable toward each other to close the shut-oft and open the extinguisher, and a heat controlled element positioned between said controlling devices and normally preventing such movement.

at. In a fire control apparatus having an outlet, a plate covering said outlet and having a sectional upturned edge, a coil spring acting to force said plate from its scat, said spring extending through said outlet and being supported only at its extreme ends and being free to vibrate in said outlet when said plate is moved therefrom.

5. In a fire control apparatus having an outlet, a plate for said outlet, means to limit axial outward movement of said plate, a

coil spring extending outward through said outlet and against said plate and supported solely at its ends, and heat controlled means to normally hold said plate in position to close said outlet.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto atfixed my signature.

GEORGE 1. ROCKWOOD. 

